Common questions about the Milford Schools bond issue

During this levy season, I have been asked a number of questions about the 4.7 mill bond issue the school district has placed on the ballot. I wanted to address the most common questions here; in addition, please visit the district website bond info (there are videos and lots of other sub-menu items), plus be sure to read the FAQs.

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Highlights from 1/17/19 school board meeting

Milford school board places bond on May 2019 ballot
District continues to investigate changing school start times; option for juniors/seniors will be implemented next year

Here are the highlights of the 1/17/19 school board meeting:

District continues to investigate changing school start times; option for juniors/seniors will be implemented next year

In April 2018, the Business Advisory Council (BAC) reported to the school board that moving high school and junior high start times later (ideally to 8:30 am) could provide significant health benefits to teens, whose circadian rhythms naturally lead them to a later bedtime and a physical drive to sleep later in the morning. Studies from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, and even experiential data from school districts that have moved their start times support the benefits of later start times for teen students.

The benefits of not getting straight As

A huge dichotomy exists between what it takes to get into college (or after college, into grad school), and what is truly the best for developing a creative, well-rounded person. In this article by Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and the youngest tenured professor at The Wharton School, Dr. Grant proposes that getting straight As can cause many more problems for students than the benefits it offers.

New concept for structure of school day explores how to increase student engagement, success

Highlights of 10/18/18 school board meeting

Five-Year Forecast indicates Milford is in sound financial shape
Board approves new brandmark

Here are the highlights from the 10/18/18 school board meeting:

Highlights from 7/19/18 school board meeting

District implements new strategic plan, Portrait of a Graduate
Worried about job loss to Artificial Intelligence?
Superintendent’s Report
No Athletic/Extracurricular reports in July

Here are the highlights from the July 19, 2018 school board meeting:

District implements new strategic plan, Portrait of a Graduate

A strategic plan is important to school districts, just as it is for businesses, providing the guidance to ensure the district is providing the programs and services required to prepare our graduates for success in a rapidly changing world. Since the district has not updated the strategic plan since 2009, it was time to revisit where we’re going and how to get there.

Milford HS to eliminate class rank, Valedictorian/Salutatorian

Beginning with the Class of 2022 (this year’s freshmen), Milford High School will no longer be reporting class rank, unless it is specifically requested by a college or other institution. This decision was made following extensive research re: what colleges are looking for; what other school districts are doing; and how our students and parents feel about various factors in the educational process.

Business Advisory Council recommends creating task force to explore later school start times for MHS/MJHS

The Business Advisory Council (BAC) is a board-appointed committee consisting of local businesspeople who help the school district by researching specific issues in career preparation and other business-related questions. Last year, the board asked the BAC, under the direction of Chair Geoff Pittman, to research later school start times. They presented their results at the May 10, 2018 school board meeting.